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Zen poems and insight

Zen Buddhism

Zen Buddhism has its roots in both Mahayana Buddhism and Taoism. Originating in China, where it is known as ch’an, in the 6th century. Zen spread to Korea and Japan, and then became popular in the west in the mid twentieth century. The essence of Zen Buddhist practice is to come to the realisation that every being has buddha nature. Zen is more interested in direct knowing, rather than rote learning of scripture without experience. There is often a direct transmission of enlightment between master and disciple.

Ananda was one of the principal disciples and a devout attendant of the Buddha. Amongst the Buddha’s many disciples, Ānanda had the most retentive memory and most of the suttas in the Sutta Pitaka are attributed to his recollection of the Buddha’s teachings during the First Buddhist Council. For that, he was known as the Guardian of the Dharma. The word ‘Ānanda’ means ‘bliss” in Pali, Sanskrit as well as other Indian languages. It is a popular Buddhist and Hindu name, but popular also among Muslims in Indonesia. (source wiki)

ANANDA by

Zen Master Ryokan

Even Shakyamuni could never tame Ananda
but Kashyapa kicked him out and tamed him.
Throw away all you know.
Throw away all you don’t know.
Then and only then one star shines bright.